The Weekender's Guide To

If you’re like us, you plan trips around where to eat and drink. With the BA Weekender Guides we’ve done the research for you. Each guide features our short list of the coolest restaurants, bars, hotels, and more–all vetted by the Bon Appétit Foodist. It’s a highly curated, highly opinionated itinerary, perfect for a long weekend in town. So what are you waiting for?

Inside Roberta’s (Credit: Anthony Falco)

We’re going to straight-up say it: New York is the best food city in America–period. Whether you’re craving a bowl of Chinese noodles or a beautifully composed plate of fancy French cuisine, red-sauce Italian (with a twist) or a killer dry-aged steak, it is a mecca for the food-obsessed. We could have picked dozens of restaurants to recommend, but for the sake of our City Guides format, here are a few old-school favorites, a couple of newcomers, and our picks for where to drink–then sleep it off–when you’re visiting the city.

EAT HERE

Battersby
Exposed brick? Check. Stamped-tin ceiling? Check. Ridiculous buzz? Check. Battersby has that Adorable Brooklyn thing in spades. Fortunately, the restaurant is more than just a spot-on example of the latest dining trend–way more. Kale salad sounds basic but is totally not: The green comes both raw and fried, doused with fish sauce and shimmering with palm sugar and chiles. It is a straight-up revelation, and yes, we’re talking about kale salad here. Then there’s the gratis flatbread, hot from the oven, spiked with rosemary, and served with a little pot of creamy ricotta. We’d gladly pay for it but are so thankful we don’t have to. Of the heartier dishes, look for anything with pasta–such as a tangle of linguine tossed with peekytoe crab and littlenecks–or lamb, which is cooked to such tenderness it could convert a vegan (maybe). Tasting menus have mercifully reasonable Brooklyn price tags, starting at $65 for five courses. If the weather is fine, you can tuck into one in the small garden out back, opening later this summer.255 Smith Street, Brooklyn; 718-852-8321; battersbybrooklyn.com

Keens Steakhouse
You know those trendy, fake old-timey chophouses with “antiqued” mirrors and dark wood? They are all trying to be Keens. Cool since 1885, it’s a place you can take your grandpa and your DJ nephew for a Frisbee-size mutton chop or dry-aged strip steak–and they’ll both love it. The space is laid out like an old house with fireplaces and lots of nooks to hide in. If you’re lucky, you might even be seated in the room with a giant tiger painting. Just don’t forget to look up. The rows of clay pipes lining the ceiling were smoked by guys who watched Babe Ruth play–hell, one was even smoked by the Babe himself. Care for a drink? The bar has a gem of a Scotch collection and free snacks.
72 West 36th Street; 212-947-3636; keens.com

Le Bernardin
If you’re going to break the bank for one meal in New York, do it here. Le Bernardin is all about seafood and the transcendent things that chef Eric Ripert–one of the true “good guy” celebrity chefs–does with it. Look for dishes like the truffled lobster en brioche (the sexiest twist on a lobster roll ever) or the refreshing yellowfin tuna with spiced herb salad and citrus-soy-ginger dressing from the “barely touched” section of the menu, the latter a perfect example of Ripert’s way with fresh fish. The midtown space was remodeled last year; there’s more art, it’s more romantic, and there is now a cool little no-jacket-required lounge if you’re looking for a slightly more casual experience. As for the menu, Ripert and his team show no signs of resting on their legacy. In fact, the restaurant just earned an unprecedented fifth fourth four-star review from the New York Times.155 West 51st Street; 212-554-1515; le-bernardin.com

Roberta’s unassuming exterior (Credit: Anthony Falco)

Roberta’s
Arriving at this seemingly desolate block in the less-than-charming Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwick, you’d be forgiven for thinking you made a wrong subway transfer. You didn’t. Behind Roberta’s barely marked, weather-beaten exterior is a homey interior of wooden communal tables, warm lighting, and happy pizza lovers–not to mention a cool backyard bar. Go early or late to avoid the masses, and try anything out of the wood-burning oven (hauled here from Italy). There are thin pies decked out with veggies from the Roberta’s garden, blistered calzones packed with prosciutto. And more-adventurous eaters can expand their order horizons with creative salads like purslane with cherry, buttermilk, and Stilton or entrées like a wood oven-fired pork chop served with fregola, rapini, and rhubarb. These dishes, and an ambitious tasting menu, elevate this place from hipster pizzeria to one of the most innovative restaurants in the country.261 Moore Street, Brooklyn; 718-417-1118; robertaspizza.com

Tertulia
New York has a handful of great modern Spanish restaurants, but this is the one to hit right now. The space, with a curling, rustic bar and exposed walls, is alive (read: loud and packed). Yes, the cured meats and cheeses are incredible (did someone say Ibérico?), but chef Seamus Mullen’s oven-fired specialties, like pig cheek paired with quail eggs–and anything he does with lamb–are unbeatable. Go deep on the tapas-style menu (egg dishes are always a good bet). To wash it all down, there’s a huge selection of Riojas and Sherries, served in those oh-so-casual-like-we’re-in-Spain juice glasses, or you can chug one of the handful of ciders on tap. Not a fan of crowds? Go at lunchtime and dig into a juicy smoked lamb breast sandwich. If you’re lucky, Mullen might be outside on the sidewalk firing up a manhole cover-size pan of paella.359 Sixth Avenue; 646-559-9909; tertulianyc.com

Torrisi Italian Specialties
This is the restaurant that you always thought you’d find in Little Italy but never could–a place with top-notch cooking that pays tribute to the neighborhood but isn’t afraid to innovate. When Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi, two classically trained cooks with a love of old-school Italian-American food, started serving up prix fixe “Sunday Suppers,” four years ago, they created a red-sauce joint like no other. The ingredients may read Italian, but they’re all produced stateside. And the dishes are often not what they seem: Eggplant rollatini might roll Spanish one night, stuffed with paprika and confited tuna belly, and that cacciatore is more likely to feature tender tripe than chicken. Just go with it. While the Billy Joel photo on the wall might give a reasonable person pause, you ignore this place at your peril. It’s buzzy, fun, and even those rainbow cookies are great.250 Mulberry Street; 212-965-0955646-559-9909; torrisinyc.com

Xi’an Famous Foods
After decades of “eh” chow mein houses and General Tso’s lunch specials, Chinese food is finally having a moment all over the city. And if you’re looking for one meal to sum it all up, go for the hand-pulled noodles at Xi’an. Flavor-packed combos like the N1–sautéed lamb, cumin, chili oil, and scallions, amid a swirl of noodles–are the stuff of late-night, post-bar hop cravings. The place is a true family affair–a father from Xi’an, China, is the cook; his son is the manager–and the food is worth the wait and the bustle of their small shops. (There are four locations, but we’re partial to the tiny counter-service-only spot wedged underneath the Manhattan Bridge, in the middle of Manhattan’s Chinatown.) If you can, get yours to go; on St. Marks in particular, it’s easy to find a bar that’ll let you bring in food (try Tile Bar) and enjoy it with a cold beer.81 St. Marks Place; no phone; xianfoods.com
88 East Broadway #106 TK
67 Bayard Street
41-28 Main Street, Basement #36, Flushing, NY (Queens)

STAY HERE

Ace Hotel
The recently coined “Nomad” neighborhood (north of Madison Square Park) is the neighborhood to stay in right now–and the Ace is the hippest and, oddly, the cheapest of the cooler new arrivals. Its allure starts with that Hollywood marquee declaring “HOTEL” and continues through the bustling lobby bar right up to the studiously janky elevators. Then there are the rooms: Each is unique, with a different theme–from industrial-chic to straight-up cartoony, but all have a rustic-y vibe with bare wood floors. For a quick bite without leaving the complex, you’ve got No. 7 Sub (not to mention Stumptown Coffee for your morning wake-up), but it’s the Ace’s two in-house restaurants, The Breslin Bar and Dining Room the Breslin and the John Dory Oyster Bar, that make this a full-on New York experience. And by staying here, you get the chance to book a table at either, which is something even locals can’t do.20 West 29th Street; 212-679-2222; acehotel.com/newyork

A room at the Wythe Hotel (Credit: Courtesy of Wythe Hotel)

Wythe Hotel
Before the Wythe opened in 2012, it was inconceivable that a visitor would, if given the choice, stay on the Brooklyn side of the East River. That this hotel was packed a week after opening says as much about the neighborhood it’s in–Williamsburg–as anything else. This is the Brooklyn you’ve read about–cool restaurants, live music, and young people (so many young people!)–and the Wythe is its grown-ups’ clubhouse. The former barrel-making factory totally nails that chilly-yet-warm industrial feel, with lofty public spaces and reclaimed wood. The rooms go for the minimalist vibe, with retro wallpaper and soaring windows–the best of them look onto Manhattan, so guests can remember what city they’re in. Don’t skip Reynards, the in-house restaurant with a connected bar run by Andrew Tarlow, whose restaurants (Diner; Marlow & Sons) were neighborhood pioneers. And did we mention the stunning views from the rooftop bar?80 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn; 718-460-8000; wythehotel.com

DRINK HERE

The Blind Tiger (Credit: Tim Reinke)

Blind Tiger
The best of Manhattan’s microbrew-themed pubs, the Tiger’s strength lies in its selection of American beers on tap (which changes daily) and its great inventory of hard-to-find bottles–domestic and international–including some awesome Belgian sours. Look for up-and-comer labels like Vermont’s Hill Farmstead and California’s Green Flash. Settle in with a pint, eat better-than-they-need-to-be sliders or wings, and chat with locals. Oh, and fair warning: This is a great place to be a day drinker, too (think of it as an ideal stop-off for a day of downtown exploration). It can get crazy after work and on weekend nights.281 Bleecker Street; 212-462-4682; blindtigeralehouse.com

Little Branch
Behind a barely marked door and down a flight of stairs on a picturesque West Village corner lives one of the city’s best cocktail bars. Sasha Petraske, who pretty much kicked off the whole “neo-speakeasy” thing a decade or so ago with Milk & Honey, co-owns the place, which means you can expect dim lighting, an unmistakable sexiness, and flawless cocktails. This is the perfect destination if you’re meeting up with a special someone; you’ll find intimate little booths and tables and conversation-starting drinks poured by guys whom we have no problem calling mixologists. In summer, it’s all about the fizzes–some with cucumber and gin and Champagne, others with berries. In winter, perch at the bar over an innovative take on a hot toddy. You may never leave.20 Seventh Avenue South20 West 7th Street; 212-929-4360; no Web site

DO THIS

The High Line (Credit: Iwan Baan courtesy of Friends of the High Line)

The High Line
Thirty years ago, the city abandoned a raised train line formerly used to haul goods above Tenth Avenue. The tracks were left to the weeds until the mid-1990s when local groups set their sights on reclaiming the structure as a park . A true “only in New York” experience, the beautiful, refurbished path–now open to pedestrians–offers mini vistas and unparalleled people-watching overlooking the Hudson. Stroll by still-bustling factories and newer luxury hotels, outdoor art and well-sourced food vendors–from artisanal doughnuts to ice cream sandwiches–that line the way.Washington Street at Gansevoort Street between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues; 212-500-6035; thehighline.org

–Alex Van Buren

BA city guides are vetted by restaurants and drinks editor Andrew Knowlton, a.k.a. the Bon Appétit Foodist. Find him on Twitter @andrewoknowlton